Fortunately, blizzards do not occur often unless you happen to live in an area that is prone to them. However, when they do develop, they can cause severe damage to your home that could require an expensive repair. The sooner you address the problem, the more cost effective it will be. Here are some potential problems to check for after a blizzard blows through your area.
Roof
Blizzards can dump a foot or more of snow as they pass through. If your roof has been hit by several inches of snow that doesn't melt for several days, the weight could strain the roofing shingles, causing damage. High winds that sometimes accompany significant snowstorms can loosen or destroy the shingles. Missing or partial shingles will leave your home vulnerable to melting snow and moisture that could seep into the attic or other structures. The blustery wind can also knock bricks off the chimney and leave it open for wildlife like bats or squirrels to enter.
Gutters and Downspouts
Severe winter weather can also cause problems with your home's gutters and downspouts. It is not unusual for them to become dented or twisted in a snowstorm or even come loose and fall off altogether. Broken pieces of the downspouts and gutters can be blown away, requiring the installation of new sections instead of a more inexpensive repair.
Porch and Patio
The outer areas of a home can be hit pretty hard by blizzard-type weather. A porch roof or awning may be damaged or broken. A patio covering could be destroyed. Anything that is not tied down or moved into the garage or a shed could be buried, dented, or blown away. Depending on how your patio is constructed, the structure could be loosened or hurt by the high winds of the storm. An attached gazebo or lean-to might collapse or sustain serious destruction.
Windows
Occasionally, a winter blizzard's intense winds can crack a home's windows or loosen the framework. Shutters may loosen or be blown away. Weather strips along the windows could become torn or dislodged in extreme weather.
Get Professional Help
If you believe your home has been damaged by a blizzard in ways like these, it’s a good idea to contact professional storm damage restoration specialists for a thorough assessment. They can take a look at the damage and give you an estimate for the repairs and replacements that are needed. Since they deal with these issues all the time, they can do the work efficiently and correctly. While it’s understandable to want to wait, even minor issues can quickly evolve into much worse problems, so it’s best to get them taken care of quickly.
Blizzards can cause substantial damage to a home. When a snowstorm blows through, have your property evaluated afterward to catch any problems early.
